WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL A FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD A NEW YORK TIMES
BESTSELLER ALA Notable Book for Children · Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older
Readers of 2024 · Shelf Awareness Best Books of 2024 for Kids and Teens · BookPage Best Middle
Grade of 2024 · Common Sense Media Best Books of 2024 · 2025 Excellence in Children’s and Young
Adult Science Fiction Notable List When twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy
from the future his life is changed forever. From bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly also
the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space
this novel explores themes of family friendship trust and forgiveness. The First State of
Being is for fans of Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me . It's August 1999. For twelve-year-old
Michael Rosario life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot Delaware is as ordinary as
ever—except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old
babysitter Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere
Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby. It
turns out that Ridge is carefree confident and bold things Michael wishes he could be.
Unlike Michael however Ridge isn’t where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that he’s the world’s
first time traveler Michael and Gibby are stunned but curious. As Ridge immerses himself in
1999—fascinated by microwaves basketballs and malls—Michael discovers that his new friend has
a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years and his curiosity morphs into
something else: focused determination. Michael wants—no needs —to get his hands on that book.
How else can he prepare for the future? But how far is he willing to go to get it? A story of
time travel friendship found family and first loves this thematically rich novel is
distinguished by its voice character development setting and exploration of the issues that
resonate with middle grade readers. Finalist for the National Book Award and Winner of the
Newbery Medal.